SRPC's Monthly Newsletter | |
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Greetings!
It’s fall and that not only means the leaves are falling and its getting colder, but here at SRPC, it means it’s time for the data collection team to switch gears from data collection to data analysis for the winter.
In this issue you will find information on partnerships with the Sunrise Lake Watershed Advisory Committee and its partners and the the Cocheco River Local Advisory Committee; public meetings coming up in Milton and Farmington; planning events of interest; announcements and grant opportunities as well as community happenings and much more.
Please note the SRPC office will be closed on Monday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the veterans for their service.
The SRPC office will also be closed Thursday November 21 and Friday November 22 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The SRPC team wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Until Next Month!
Megan Taylor-Fetter
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In this Issue
Staff Fun
SRPC's Latest
Partner Spotlight
Planning Events of Interest
Announcements
Grant Corner
Public Input Opportunities
Community Happenings
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Volunteer with NH Food Bank
https://nhfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/
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Thanksgiving Trivia:
Ever wonder what question gets asked most on the Butterball Hotline? Every year, around 100,000 people call the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line to ask their most burning question: how the heck do I thaw this thing?
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Halloween Lunch
At the October staff meeting, lunch hosts Megan and Rachel celebrated the season by preparing a Halloween themed lunch. For the team building exercise, everyone colored Halloween pictures while talking about what spooks them the most. Staff wore pink shirts and ribbons to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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The SRPC "Littles" enjoyed a night of Trick or Treating | |
Commissioner 101
On the afternoon of Friday, November 1, SRPC staff gathered with a group of Commissioners at the office in Rochester. The goal of the afternoon event was to share information about the different services, programs, and projects that the planning commission works on throughout the region and provide an opportunity for Commissioners to network with each other and the SRPC staff. Commissioners who joined were either new to their role or were interested in learning more about ongoing and recent projects.
Staff members on each of the different teams and focus areas of the Commission (Environmental /Land Use Planning, Data, Transportation, and Economic Development) set up stations to share information on services and projects and answer questions from Commissioners.
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SRPC Seeks Qualified Environmental Professional Services
The Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) is seeking a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) to provide technical services for the implementation of the Sunrise Lake Watershed Management Plan (2021). The QEP will work under the direction of SRPC staff and in close collaboration with the Sunrise Lake Watershed Advisory Committee and its partners to develop designs, cost-estimates, and operation and maintenance plans for structural BMPs; obtain state permits and an approved NHDES site specific project plan; provide construction oversight; document pollutant load reduction estimates; and participate in project team meetings. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) can be found on SRPC’s website: https://strafford.org/rfp/request-for-qualifications-sunrise-lake-watershed-management-plan-implementation-legal-notice/
Qualification packages must be received prior to 5:00PM on Friday, December 13, 2024. Submittals shall be sent by email to Kyle Pimental at kpimental@strafford.org with the subject line: Sunrise Lake RFQ. Late submissions will not be considered.
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SRPC Seeks Members for the Cocheco River Corridor Management Plan Steering Committee
The Cocheco River Local Advisory Committee (CRLAC) is seeking volunteers from New Durham, Middleton, Farmington, Rochester, and Dover that are interested in joining a steering committee to assist in developing a corridor management plan for the Cocheco River. The steering committee, in collaboration with SRPC, will meet monthly with the CRLAC to develop the plan, and assist with identifying resources, outlining the structure of the plan, and recommending implementation actions.
Anyone who is interested can contact SRPC Regional Planner Owen Corcoran at ocorcoran@strafford.org for additional information.
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Coffee and Government Contracting for Veteran Owned Small Businesses
On November 12, from 10-11 a.m. EST, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will host an online event where they will discuss how to leverage your VOSB/SDVOSB status for federal government contracting. The guest speaker will be Michelle Simoes, Small Business Technical Advisor at GSA Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
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PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
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Featured Event
Milton Begins Work on Watershed Planning Efforts
SRPC, in collaboration with the Town of Milton, has embarked on two exciting projects seeking to address ongoing environmental challenges within Milton Three Ponds.
The first project is to develop a nitrogen control plan. This plan will outline specific actions or projects with estimates of load reduction potential and costs of implementation. The plan will serve as a planning tool for Milton to best allocate funding for investment to reduce total nitrogen into Milton Three Ponds/Salmon Falls River which feeds the Great Bay. A kickoff meeting was held on October 7th, in which project partners, including SRPC, NHDES, Milton town staff, and Geosyntec Consultants, discussed the project’s goal, scope of work, schedule, and next steps. For additional information, contact Kyle Pimental at kpimental@strafford.org
The second project is to develop a watershed management plan. The watershed-based plan will include EPA’s nine-element (a-i) criteria to restore waters impaired by nonpoint source pollution and will set forth specific recommendations for guiding future development and strategies for reducing the cumulative impacts of nonpoint source pollution on water quality. This project will explore the connection between identified impairments and other signs of stress in the ponds and their tributaries.
A kickoff meeting was held on November 6th, in which project partners, including SRPC, NHDES, Milton Three Ponds Steering Committee, Milton town staff, Three Ponds Protection Association representatives, and FB Environmental Consultants, discussed the project’s goal, scope of work, schedule, and next steps. For additional information, contact Lisa Murphy at lmurphy@strafford.org.
Other Events
November 14: Missing Middle Housing webinar – featuring the creator of the term “Missing Middle”
November 16: NHMA’s annual Land Use Law conference.
November 21: Zoning & Housing case study webinar – Charlottesville, Virginia
December 6: New Hampshire Planners Association 2024 Annual Meeting https://nne.planning.org/sections/new-hampshire/eventsprograms/
December 10 and 11, 2024: New Hampshire Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) Kick-off Events https://www.des.nh.gov/climate-and-sustainability/climate-change/climate-pollution-reduction-grants
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Carsey/NHMA Education Award Program
NHMA is proud to announce a new partnership with the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire! This collaboration brings unique educational opportunities to NHMA Member employees, appointed/elected officials, and affiliate groups, empowering them to make even greater impacts in our communities.
Through the Carsey/NHMA Education Award Program, eligible members can receive up to a 20% tuition discount on Carsey School graduate programs, including:
- Master of Public Administration with an Executive MPA option (Online)
- Master in Community Development (Online)
- Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (Online)
- Master in Public Policy (On Campus)
For more details and to explore these valuable opportunities, visit https://carsey.unh.edu/admissions/paying-school/carsey-education-awards/new-hampshire-municipal-association-nhma-education-award
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BOSTON (October 30, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the University of Connecticut's (UConn) Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) is open and accepting requests from communities and organizations across New England for technical assistance to help address local environmental justice challenges. In New Hampshire, UConn will partner with various organizations to engage with local communities. EPA selected UConn to establish one of 18 TCTACs across the country and awarded UConn $10 million to support this work for five years.
Learn more about UCONNS TCTAC Program: Home | New England Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center.
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Featured Opportunity
PREPA Grants
The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) has announced their Request for Proposals for 2025-2026 PREPA Grants. Funding for each project ranges from $5,000-$25,000 in scope. The PREPA Grant Program is designed to help communities make big strides in protecting their natural resources and water quality, or in preparing for and adapting to climate change.
Request for Proposals link: https://buff.ly/3UDeQPa
On January 15, 2025 from 10-11:30AM, PREP will host a webinar, breaking down the process, from application through funding and implementation.
Webinar Registration link: https://buff.ly/3C5HK4d
Other Opportunities
Technology Grants
FHWA announces more than $96 million in advanced technology grants to improve safety and reduce travel times. For more information, visit the FHWA website: https://highways.dot.gov
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities
The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program is now accepting letters of interest! The program will provide planning assistance to local governments working in partnership with community organizations to help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in overburdened communities. Learn more about the current round of assistance on the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-10/bb-fy25-rfli.pdf
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PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITIES & MEETINGS | |
November 20, 6:30 PM - Milton Public Meeting: Share your ideas for Milton's public buildings. For more information, visit the Milton website: https://www.miltonnh-us.com/ | |
November 21, 6:30 PM - Farmington Public Meeting: Share your ideas for Farmington's Public Buildings. For more information, visit the Farmington website: https://www.farmington.nh.us/ | |
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Strafford Regional Planning Commission
150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12
Rochester, NH 03867
www.strafford.org
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